Air and liquid spray gun



y 1962 J. R. BESSER AIR AND LIQUID SPRAY GUN Filed NOV. 25, 1960 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 3,042,315 AIR AND LIQUED SPRAY GUN Joseph R. Besser, 3325 N. Harlem Ave.., Chicago, Ill. Filed Nov. 25, 196i), Ser. No. 71,537 Claims. (ct. 239-413 My invention relates broadly to pressure cleaning apparatus, and more particularly to a construction of a portable hand operated pressure cleaning and drying gun for effectively removing dirt, grease and surface accumulations of all kinds.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a portable hand operated pressure cleaning and drying gun which may be inexpensively manufactured on a quantity production basis and which may be manually moved within confined spaces for forcing a cleaning spray over the surface to be cleaned.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable hand operated cleaning and drying gun body constructed of tubular steel with a nickel chrome finish that will not rust or pit and which has assembled therewith a precision brass jet that will not rust or clog and delivers intense nozzle velocity with air saving efiiciency, the body embodying a high pressure air tube with a high pressure air control valve assembled therewith, and a liquid or low pressure air tube with a three-way valve with an air intake port assembled therewith creating a suction line as desired.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of pressure cleaning and drying apparatus embodying the novel features of three devices in one, may be used for applying a solvent to grease or the like due to air jet suction; secondly the low pressure line can be coupled to water line through use of a flexible hose and used to wash off the solvent and grease or the like, and thirdly low pressure air can be admitted through a valve port which cooperates with the high pressure air and drys the clean surface, three results but with a single gun.

A further object of my invention is to provide a pressure cleaning and drying gun of novel construction embodying high and low pressure tubes, quick change air coupling connections on the high pressure tube and a flexible graden hose or the like connected to the low pressure tube, the hose having a screw-threaded coupling on its terminal end for use with the usual city water supply hose line.

My invention comprehends a novel arrangement of the valves and passages connecting the air and liquid conduits with the nozzle, and also includes means adjustable to limit the movement of the needle in the needle valve of the nozzle.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of the pressure cleaning and drying device set forth in the following specification by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view partially broken away and shown coupled with a high pressure line and a water supply line for explaining the assembly of the present pressure cleaning and drying apparatus, or gun of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the terminus end of the cleaning and drying gun shown by FIG. 1, for explaining the assembly of the nozzle adjusting means assembled upon the terminus end thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view similar to MG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional View of the valve, in blast off position, normally assembled with the low pressure line for passage of liquid therethrough;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 4, in closed position for conveying liquid and having the atmospheric air vent in registration; and

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional View taken on line dgiii-Z ,3 l 5 Fatented July 3, 1962 '66 of FIG. 5 showing the handle and associated elements.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference character 10 designates a high pressure cleaning and drying device, provided with a dual tubular body portion 11 embodying a high pressure tubular air conduit 12 with a longitudinal flow duct 13 therein, said conduit 12 extending outwardly and having a relatively short portion thereof adjacent its distal end lying at an angle to the air conduit 12, said short portion forming a nozzlehousing 15 of cylindrical configuration. In order to supply liquid and/or low pressure dry air as desired to the nozzle housing 15 embodying a cylindrical chamber 16, I provide a tubular conduit 17 with a longitudinal flow duct 18 therein, said conduit 17 arranged substantially parallel with the air conduit 12 and directly below it and in a vertical plane therewith, the distal end of conduit 17 being integrally formed with the rear angular side of the nozzle housing 15 with the duct 18 communicating with the interior of the chamber 16. The inlet end of said high pressure conduit 12 has a straight end portion 20 with an air control valve 21 assembled therewith, said valve 21 having a downwardly extending coupling portion 22 and operating lever 23, later to be described. The inlet end portion 25 of said conduit 17 is curved upwardly and downwardly, the top surface of the curved portion 26 being welded or otherwise secured to the lower wall surface of conduit 12 adjacent the inlet end portion 20 thereof. The inlet end of said end portion 25 is externally threaded for receiving a three-way valve 27 with operating lever 28, later to be described.

As illustrated in detail in FIGURES 2 and 3, the distal end of the conduit 12, forming the terminal end of nozzle housing 15, is exteriorly threaded at 29 for a short distance to receive a cylindrical nozzle 30 with a central longitudinal bore which is interiorly threaded at its inlet end 31 and has a smooth internal cylindrical surface 32 adjacent its distal end, and locking nut 33 having internal threads, said nozzle 34 and locking nut 33 cooperating with threads 29 on the end of housing 15. Nozzle 30 is provided with a transverse cylindrical pin 34 extending diametrically through the smooth external and internal surfaces thereof, a needle valve member 35 having a cylindrical forward end portion 36 and a tapered needle 37 at the rear end thereof, said forward end portion 36 having a transverse hole 38 therein through which said transverse pin 34 extends, whereby said needle valve member 35 is pivotally mounted thereon. A hollow cup-shaped body 40 is arranged and suitably secured at 50 in the .nozzle housing 15 adjacent the angle bend portion of conduit 12, its open end portion 41 extending downwardly. The exterior diameter of said body 40 at the closed end being the same as the interior of said nozzle housing and closing the passage therethrough. This body iii has extending inward from its open end a cylindrical bore 51 smaller in diameter than its bore 44- in its closed end portion, said open end portion 41 having an external cylindrical Wall 52. parallel with and spaced from the interior wall surface of said nozzle housing providing an annular channel 54 therethrongh and in direct alignment with the internal passageway of conduit 17, causing liquid or dry air entering the nozzle housing 15 to travel around and along said open end portion 4-1. The end Wall 42 of said body 4i) is provided with a central bore 43 with outwardly diverging wall forming a needle seat 45 of smaller diameter at the inside surface of said wall 42 whereby high pressure air must pass through this bore 43 around said tapered needle 37 and out the open end. of said body 4% into the interior of the nozzle housing 15, thereby forming a suction in said annular channel 54- to draw air or liquid from said conduit 17 and discharge it directly into the interior of said nozzle 30 and outwardly therefrom.

The nozzle 30 provides an adjusting member for the control needle valve member 35 and is of a length such that it may substantially cover the threaded portion 31 on said conduit 12 or may be adjusted outwardly therefrom, the transverse pin 34 and needle valve member 35 turning and traveling with said nozzle 30, whereby outward movement of said nozzle 3% will withdraw the tapered needle 37 from said bore 43 increasing the area for high pressure air to pass through the bore 43. The locking nut 33 will hold said nozzle 30 in any desired location upon the threads 31 of said conduit 12, said tapered needle 37 providing a relatively long tapered metering pin. As the tapered needle 37 moves away from said wall 4-2, and said needle seat 45, it uncovers central bore 43 to a greater and greater extent, thus effecting a metering of the high pressure air through said bore 43, which definitely meters and controls the suction in annular channel 54 and thereby controls the amount of liquid or low pressure air supplied from conduit 17. Said hollow cup-shaped body 40 and tapered needle 37 may be referred to as a venturi meter assembly, a body with parallel exterior and interior walls cooperating with the tapered side wall of the needle 37. The correct amount of high pressure air supplied is thus controlled in an efiicient manner while low pressure air is admitted for drying the object just cleaned by use of a solvent and Water.

The downwardly extending coupling portion 22 carries an elbow 60 which in turn carries a valve element therein with downwardly and outwardly extending stem 61 associated with the valve element. The valve element is opened by depression of operating lever 23 pivotally connected at the forward end of valve body 21 by pivot pin 63 and extending rearwardly below said downwardly projecting stem 61 and beyond to a location at the rear and below the quick change air line coupling 64. The coupling 64 has a male portion 65 threadedly assembled within the rearwardly extending end 66 of the elbow 60. The coupling 64 has an extension at the opposite end thereof for connection with the female nut 67 arranged on the discharge end 68 of the high pressure air line 69. The operator grips the valve body 21 with either his right, or left hand, with the finger thereof extending beneath and in contact with the operating lever 23. The high pressure air is controlled by the fingers which actuate the lever 23 and stem 61 without removal of the hand from the valve body 21.

When liquid is to be conveyed through conduit 17 the valve operating lever 28 of the three-way valve 27 is moved rearwardly, as shown by FIGURE 4 with dotted lines. The central bore 70 of valve pin 71 connects the forward end outlet 72 of valve 27 with the rearward end inlet 73 thereof when lever 28 is in its rearward position, thereby providing a clear passage for the liquid through the valve pin 71 and through said valve 27 to said conduit 17. When dry air is desired instead of said liquid, the valve rotating lever 28 is moved forwardly, as shown by FIGURE 5, blocking the passageway from the forward end outlet 72 to the rearward end inlet 73. The valve pin 71 has a passageway 75 arranged at right angles to said central bore 70 and joining said bore 70 with the exterior thereof. While the valve pin 71 is arranged for passage of liquid therethrough said passageway 75 is closed, as shown by FIGURE 4. When the valve pin 71 is arranged for passage of air therethrough as shown by FIGURE 5, the central bore is closed at one end, while the opposite end thereof joins a vertical bore 76 formed in said valve 27 and communicating with the atmosphere. The cone-shaped valve 27 is clearly shown by FIG. 6 with the liquid passageway blocked, as shown in a normal plane by FIG. 5.

The inlet 73 of three-way valve 27 is provided with a coupling 80 adapted to be detachably screwed into engagement with the male inlet end member of a flexible pick-up hose 81, generally six feet in length and threefourths of an inch in internal diameter, with a female threaded coupling 82 at its inlet end. The coupling 82 affords means to be inserted into a bucket of solvent; the solvent is generally a double-strength solvent that is selfemulsifying and self-scouring which penetrates and holds the grease and grime in suspension and capable of disappearing as milky oil in water. One gallon of this type solvent, such as Chemi-Concentrate, is soluble in water and provides twenty (20) gallons of heavy duty grease cleaner. In cleaning, and after the solvent has been used, a garden hose 84 can be attached to coupling 82, said hose 84 being connected to a source of supply of water under pressure in a usual manner. The water pressure and air of high pressure combine inside the nozzle and when used in cleaning an object it instantly rips off grease, grime and oil film on the object. Thereafter, the three-way valve is turned, cutting off the water and air enters through passageway 76. The low pressure air confined with the high pressure air in the nozzle speeds the drying time.

It is easily seen that the pick-up hose 81 can be dropped in a container with liquid and solvent and a fine spray penetrates thoroughly through the nozzle and onto the object to be cleaned simply by operating lever 23 and allowing the solvent to be sprayed thereon for approximately two (2) minutes; then the pick-up hose is coupled with the garden hose with water supply and arranged at close range for five minutes; this is the blast-off time, after which the three-way valve is turned and high and low pressure air is applied for one minute; this is power drying time, all completed in eight (8) minutes.

My invention will clean car engines, truck engines, radiators, tractor bodies, aircraft engines, boat motors, machinery, lube equipment, walls, floors, windows and the like with the greatest of ease, with a saving of high pressure air over usual type spray guns.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and arrangement as come within the novel spirit and scope thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. A portable hand operated pressure cleaning and drying gun comprising, a high pressure air tube, a downwardly extending cylindrical atomizing nozzle housing integrally and angularly formed on the outlet end of said high pressure air tube and having the same diameter as said tube, said nozzle housing having an opening in its downwardly extending rear wall intermediate its ends, a low pressure fluid tube connected at its outer end with said downwardly extending rear wall of said nozzle housing and having its internal bore in alignment with said opening in said nozzle housing intermediate the end portions thereof and communicating with the interior thereof, a venturi meter assembly mounted within the upper end of said nozzle housing, said assembly embodying a body with a longitudinal bore and a tapered needle pointed at its upper end, a rotatable cylindrical nozzle rotatably and threadedly mounted upon the exterior discharge end of said cylindrical nozzle housing, a transverse pin secured across the open end of said cylindrical nozzle and said tapered needle being pivotally secured to said pin for adjusting the location of said needle within said longitudinal bore in said assembly, an air valve element assembled upon the inlet end of said high pressure air tube, an operating member pivotally mounted with said air valve element, a three-way valve assembled on the opposite end of said low pressure fluid tube, a flexible conduit for conveying liquids connected at one end with said three-way valve, an air passage in the outer wall of said three-way valve, a rotating valve pin, an operating lever at one end of said valve pin, a transverse passageway through said valve pin, an air passage way in said valve pin and joining said transverse passageway at right angles therewith,

movement of said lever rotates said valve pin for simultaneously covering and uncovering the intake end of said air passageway in said pin and the air passage in the wall of said three-way valve for selectively allowing fluid from a source of liquid supply to be conveyed through said flexible conduit and said low pressure fluid tube when the air passage in said three-way valve wall is closed.

2. The cleaning and drying gun according to claim 1 wherein said operating lever with said three-way valve is movable for selectively allowing air from the atmosphere to be conveyed through said low pressure fluid tube when the transverse passageway in said valve is closed from joining smd flexible conduit and open with said air passage in said three-Way valve wall, thereby cleaning the low pressure tube of all fluid and supplementing air to said nozzle housing.

3. The cleaning and drying gun according to claim 2 wherein the high pressure air tube and said low pressure fluid tube are of the same internal diameter and arranged in a common vertical plane and the forward major portions thereof arranged parallel with each other.

4. The cleaning and drying gun according to claim 3 wherein said venturi meter assembly body consists of a cup-shaped body with an end wall and cylindrical side walls, the outer end side wall being smaller in diameter than the side walls thereof intermediate said end wall and said outer end side walls whereby an annular chamber is provided between the exterior Wall surface of said outer end side wall of said body and the interior wall of said nozzle housing and adjacent the distal end of said low pressure fluid tube.

5. A portable hand operated pressure cleaning and drying gun comprising a dual tubular body portion and a pair of control valves assembled therewith, said body portion consisting of a high pressure air tube and a low pressure fluid tube arranged in a common vertical plane with a major portion of said high pressure air tube spaced a short distance above said low pressure fluid tube, said high pressure air tube extending outwardly and downwardly providing a cylindrical nozzle housing at its outer free end, said housing being provided with a substantially unobstructed opening at its distal end, said housing having an opening in its rear angularly depending wall intermediate its ends and extending through the cylindrical Wall thereof, the distal end of said low pressure fluid tube abutting the angular rear Wall of said housing and having its internal bore in alignment with said opening in the rear wall of said housing establishing communication within the interior of said nozzle housing intermediate its ends, a venturi meter assembly secured within the upper end portion of said nozzle housing, said venturi meter assembly consisting of a cup shaped body having an end Wall at its upper end, said body having a cylindrical upper end portion and a cylindrical lower end portion joined by a curved wall section therebetween, the diameter of said lower end portion being smaller than the diameter of said upper end portion thereby providing a high velocity area within said lower end portion and a longitudinal passageway between said lower end portion thereof and the interior wall of said nozzle housing, and a metering needle tapered at its upper end, a cylindrical nozzle threadedly secured on the exterior of the lower end of said nozzle housing and having a transverse pin arranged therein, the lower end of said needle pivotally mounted on said pin, the upper end of said cup shaped body providing an end wall with a longitudinal bore therein, the pointed end of said pivotally mounted metering needle rotatable and adjustably extending through said bore upon rotation of said cylindrical nozzle to regulate the amount of high pressure air to pass through said bore into said nozzle housing thereby regulating the amount of suction on the distal end of said low pressure fluid tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,037,785 Marshall Sept. 3, 1912 1,346,750 Herman July 13, 1920 1,419,948 Sellars June 20, 1922 1,430,428 Allen Sept. 26, 1922 1,458,975 Clauson June 19, 1923 1,616,685 Frazier et a1. Feb. 8, 1927 1,981,704 Moore Nov. 20, 1934 

